The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word WARD
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
W
A
R
D
More clues leading to the result WARD
- Wake in Fenland? Here refused place in hospital
- . Revolutionary sketch is Guardian’s responsibility
- Treatment area charge creates political division
- Pull up for guard
- Minor drawback
- Custody of daughter obtained after fighting
- Part of prison where voters will be found?
- District gets prize, but not the first one
- Democrat supporting battle for part of constituency
- Feature of hospital charge
Buddy explains!

The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does WARD mean?
WARD noun- A warden; a guard; a guardian or watchman.
- Protection, defence.
- A protected place, and by extension, a type of subdivision.
- A person under guardianship.
- An object used for guarding.
- To keep in safety, to watch over, to guard.
- To defend, to protect.
- To fend off, to repel, to turn aside, as anything mischievous that approaches; -- usually followed by off.
- To be vigilant; to keep guard.
- To act on the defensive with a weapon.